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MAXIM SHEVCHENKO: "ARMENIA'S ACCESSION TO THE CUSTOMS UNION WILL HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH"
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Dec 4 2013
4 December 2013 - 9:18am
Interview by Vestnik Kavkaza
Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Armenia,
where he once again approved its desire to join the Customs Union
and the common economic space. According to Putin, "prospects of
integration cooperation are confirmed by growing complementarity
of our economies." Russia is a leading foreign trade partner of
Armenia: its share in trade balance is 23.5%. Last year trade
turnover increased by more than 20% and reached $1.2 billion. The
volume of Russian investments surpassed $3 billion - more than 40%
of all foreign investments into Armenian economy. About 1300 Russian
companies are working in gas, transport, telecommunication, financial
spheres of Armenia - more than 25% of all joint enterprises with
foreign investments.
However, experts believe it is not enough to integrate. Maxim
Shevchenko, member of the Presidential Council on International
Relations, told Vestnik Kavkaza about his view on Eurasian integration
of Armenia.
- What do you think about the results of Putin's visit to Armenia
and its prospects of joining the Customs Union?
- Frankly, summing it up, of course, it is a political statement,
because certainly there will be no economic benefit if Armenia joins
the Customs Union. This is a fully subsidized state, which is among,
if I am not mistaken, the most catastrophic economies, it is in second
place from the end or fourth place on the list.
Therefore it is clear that Armenia will be fully subsidized by the
Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and other successful countries in
the Union.
But there is nothing to worry about, Germany also finances Greece
in the European Union. At least it will allow Armenian policy, the
Armenian state, to turn away from U.S. subsidies.
Today in Armenia, most of the population live simply on grants sent
by the Armenian diaspora in the U.S. or France. So I think that the
struggle for Armenia is also an important fight.
- Can Eurasian integration of Yerevan help in settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem?
- I think that the accession of Armenia, in particular, will help
to advance the search for a constructive solution to the Karabakh
issue, which I can see only provided that all refugees can return
to Nagorno-Karabakh, to Azerbaijan. By the way, I recall that at
least 400,000 Azerbaijanis also fled Armenia. At least, the return
of Azerbaijanis to Nagorno-Karabakh and then a referendum, perhaps on
the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, which will consist of at least
two peoples. There are, however, also Russians - three peoples will
be its foundation. The formation of a Caucasian "Switzerland," I do
not see why not. When France and Germany fought against each other on
the territory of Switzerland, French-speaking Swiss, German-speaking
Swiss and Italian-speaking Swiss established mechanisms of democratic
governance. The structure of Nagorno-Karabakh is also Canton-like.
There were regions dominated by the Azerbaijanis, there were regions
dominated by the Armenians. Without the return of all the people who
would like to go back there, we cannot talk about any recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh or discussions of this issue, in my opinion. However,
postponing it, undoubtedly increases the risk of military conflict.
http://vestnikkavkaza.net/interviews/politics/48267.html
From: A. Papazian
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Dec 4 2013
4 December 2013 - 9:18am
Interview by Vestnik Kavkaza
Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Armenia,
where he once again approved its desire to join the Customs Union
and the common economic space. According to Putin, "prospects of
integration cooperation are confirmed by growing complementarity
of our economies." Russia is a leading foreign trade partner of
Armenia: its share in trade balance is 23.5%. Last year trade
turnover increased by more than 20% and reached $1.2 billion. The
volume of Russian investments surpassed $3 billion - more than 40%
of all foreign investments into Armenian economy. About 1300 Russian
companies are working in gas, transport, telecommunication, financial
spheres of Armenia - more than 25% of all joint enterprises with
foreign investments.
However, experts believe it is not enough to integrate. Maxim
Shevchenko, member of the Presidential Council on International
Relations, told Vestnik Kavkaza about his view on Eurasian integration
of Armenia.
- What do you think about the results of Putin's visit to Armenia
and its prospects of joining the Customs Union?
- Frankly, summing it up, of course, it is a political statement,
because certainly there will be no economic benefit if Armenia joins
the Customs Union. This is a fully subsidized state, which is among,
if I am not mistaken, the most catastrophic economies, it is in second
place from the end or fourth place on the list.
Therefore it is clear that Armenia will be fully subsidized by the
Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and other successful countries in
the Union.
But there is nothing to worry about, Germany also finances Greece
in the European Union. At least it will allow Armenian policy, the
Armenian state, to turn away from U.S. subsidies.
Today in Armenia, most of the population live simply on grants sent
by the Armenian diaspora in the U.S. or France. So I think that the
struggle for Armenia is also an important fight.
- Can Eurasian integration of Yerevan help in settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem?
- I think that the accession of Armenia, in particular, will help
to advance the search for a constructive solution to the Karabakh
issue, which I can see only provided that all refugees can return
to Nagorno-Karabakh, to Azerbaijan. By the way, I recall that at
least 400,000 Azerbaijanis also fled Armenia. At least, the return
of Azerbaijanis to Nagorno-Karabakh and then a referendum, perhaps on
the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, which will consist of at least
two peoples. There are, however, also Russians - three peoples will
be its foundation. The formation of a Caucasian "Switzerland," I do
not see why not. When France and Germany fought against each other on
the territory of Switzerland, French-speaking Swiss, German-speaking
Swiss and Italian-speaking Swiss established mechanisms of democratic
governance. The structure of Nagorno-Karabakh is also Canton-like.
There were regions dominated by the Azerbaijanis, there were regions
dominated by the Armenians. Without the return of all the people who
would like to go back there, we cannot talk about any recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh or discussions of this issue, in my opinion. However,
postponing it, undoubtedly increases the risk of military conflict.
http://vestnikkavkaza.net/interviews/politics/48267.html
From: A. Papazian